UP inch close to knock out stage with 4-3 win
new delhi: Icon player Vinesh Phogat and Abdurakhmonob Bekzod won the last two bouts as UP Dangal edged out Delhi Sultans 4-3 to enhance their knock-out stage chances at the Pro Wrestling League, on Monday. Down 2-3 in the seven contest duel, Vinesh and Bekzod delivered to ensure UP maintain their unbeaten run. Delhi have now lost all their three ties and are virtually out of semifinals reckoning. Vinesh steamrolled Maroi Mezien 15-0 in the 50kg bout via technical superiority to make it 3-3 for Dangal.
Bengaluru likely to be venue for Afghan Test
new delhi: The city of Bengaluru could be announced as a venue for Afghanistan's first-ever Test, to be played against India. The BCCI and Afghanistan Cricket Board are expected to make a joint announcement after a meeting, here on Tuesday. Bengaluru has emerged as the leading venue for the historic match, which could take place in June. The BCCI had last month announced that it would host Afghanistan's maiden Test. Afghanistan earned their Test status alongside Ireland in June last year. Their respective boards were made full members of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in June, becoming the sport's 11th and 12h Test-playing nations.
‘England's Stokes charged with affray’
london: England all-rounder Ben Stokes has been charged with affray by prosecutors regarding his alleged involvement in an incident outside a nightclub in September, prosecutors announced Monday. The confrontation left a man with a fractured eye socket and saw Stokes suspended from international cricket until "further notice" by the England and Wales Cricket Board, meaning he missed the Ashes series in Australia. "Ben Stokes, 26, Ryan Ali, 28, and Ryan Hale, 26, are all due to appear before Bristol Magistrates' Court on a date to be fixed in relation to this charge," a spokesperson for England's Crown Prosecution Service said.
Anand draws with Karjakin
Wijk Aan Zee: Multiple world champion Viswanathan Anand played out an easy draw with Sergey Karjakin of Russia while B Adhiban lost to top seed Magnus Carlsen in the second round of 80th Tata Steel Masters Chess tournament here. On what turned out to be an easy day, Anand had to stretch himself only a little as Karjakin did not attempt any complicated warfare.